Florian Lipowitz & Aleksandr Vlasov lead Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe for Paris-Nice 2025: "With Vingegaard, Skjelmose & Almeida however, the competition will be fierce"

Spring Classics season has only just got underway, but for some teams, preparation for the Tour de France is already drawing the attention. With Paris-Nice coming up soon, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe have confirmed an ambitious lineup out to prove a point.

Although expected Tour de France leader Primoz Roglic won't be present, some of the Slovenian's potential super-domestiques are set to lead the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe charge. “These stages will help the team and riders get into the rhythm," explains Sports Director Patxi Vila in a press release to the team's official website. “Strong teamwork will be key to positioning Aleksandr Vlasov and Florian Lipowitz well for the GC battle. Although there is still significant climbing to come on the following days, this stage could have a central role to play in the GC battle.”

What looks like perhaps a key stage in this year's Paris-Nice, will be the stage 4 at La Loge des Gardes, a 7km climb averaging 6.5 per cent. "It’s quite a long climb, and the first proper climbing test for the general classification test. With over 3000m of elevation, it promises a selective stage finish,” previews Vila of the potential GC shakeup. “Stage five presents a different challenge with a short, steep finish, more reminiscent of the Ardennes than a traditional mountain stage. The last two kilometres feature a very steep kicker, which will change the type of winner compared to Stage four."

For the sprint stages, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe won't be quiet either though, as Danny van Poppel offers the team a chance for stage wins. "It’ll be a long stage finishing most likely with a sprint,” Vila looks ahead towards stage 6 in particular. “If the wind stays calm, a bunch finish is likely, and van Poppel will be ready to contest it.”

In the fight for the Maillot Jaune though, the duo of Lipowitz and Vlasov are unlikely to have things all their own way. "Both riders are heading to the race with ambition and a focus on achieving a good result overall. With riders like Vingegaard, Skjelmose, and Almeida, among others, in the field, however, the competition will be fierce,” Vila acknowledges. “Nevertheless, we’re up for the challenge of taking out a strong GC result and, hopefully, also a strong showing Danny van Poppel. So the goal will be a top-five finish in the GC and a stage victory. We’ll fight to be the protagonists of the race. Paris-Nice is never an easy one, but our team is ready to take on the challenge.”